The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-02-23
NO. 80.
FITI LEES LITTLE JOKE.
How He Captured IL Yankee Officers
Nalise.
(St. Louis Globe Domocrat)

est. Louis Globe Democrat,)
In 1861 Eltzhugh Lee, now Governor
OF Virginia, was commanding the Con-
lcderato outpost in Fairfax county as
Colonel OF cavalry. Colonel Tannant.
who was an intimate friend and class
mate OF Lees ut West Point, was in
command of the Union cavalry outpost
near Alexandria. One day Tannant re-
cclved orders to advance and feel the
Confederate position in front. A bat
talon OF men, made up from the depart
ments and the city of Washington, called
the Presidents Body Guard, was assign
ed hlm to make the advance. He said to
II friend before leaving:
81 want soldiers with me on is ,x-
pedition. l know Fitz Lee, haN 81 ut
with him, and whenever we come t. IT,
or somebody will have to do somo good
fighting or fast running. | know Fitz
will fight. If / had soldiers and not
these drcss-parade fellows, | would be
delighted to give my friend brush, Just
to let him sec how nicely we can whip
him back into the Union"
In the meantime his wife had packed
his yallsc with clean linen and bottle
OF old Hcnnessey brandy. When every-
thing was ready Colonel Tannant took
up the hnc of march along the Fairfax
ana Alexandria turnpike, in the direc-
tlon of Fairfax Court House. After the
command had advanced few miles and
come to halt to rest, the Colonel ad-
dressed his men in the following words:
attention! battalion: L am now
speaking to you as soldiers who have en-
listed to defend your country, and as
fellow citizens. | want every man to do
his duty in the time of battle as a soldier
should. If there are any Of You who are
not willing to do this, stop three PAGES
to the front"
Not man moved. They stood like a
wall of granite. This gave the Colonel
much encouragement.
"Now, my soldiers" said he, "with
this determination on your part, we will
continue our advance and drive the
enemy back, or capture the entire
force"
Within few miles of the courthouse
they encountered the Confederate pick
cts, and succeeded in driving them back.
This gave the command new courage.
ON they pushed. But, alas! Soon
Turner Ashby, with his Black Horse
Cavalry, came charging on their flank.
while tltz Lee pressed them in front.
The engagement began to get interesting,
when suddenly Pclham's Horse Artillery
Il limbcrcd Oh the left flank, and began
to pom CALLING fire into Tannant's
ranks. lie rode to the front, leading
the charge against FitZ Lee on the other
side. The men seeing the situation be-
came demorahzed and rctreated in con-
fusion, falling back to Alexandria. The
Union forces lost a few killed and some
prisoners. Colonel Tannants headquar-
tcfS ambulance was captured, with his
rutiOns and baggage.
y few days after the fight dilapidated
team drove up to his HEADQUARTERS with
the letters sc. S. A." branded on the
skeleton mules, ard in dim white letters
on the side of the toplcss ambulance also
appeared &c. 5. A." and the drivers,
instead of wearing the blue had on suit
81 gray. The driver entered Colonel
Iannants tent with military salute.
bearing in his hand the Colonei's yaGse,
Where did you come from?" de-
the Colonel
81 came from Colonel Fitz Lees head
quarters, was the reply. "He snapped
teams and clothes with me and told me
could come back and bring your valise,
and here it is, Colonel"
"Ail right, my man, said the Colonel.
$50 to your quarters and change your
''1'tN 80, ''LtNt ~ lolO iOI IuJN.
Colonel Tannant took the valise over
to his witc's room and opened it, The
contents OF the valise were note which
ran in the following words:
Outpost Confederate Army, Virginia.
My Dear Tant: | have opened your
'allse, appropriated your billed shirts for
change and also your bottle of old
lcnneSscy for bad cold. | traded
lmbulances and teams also. When Won
'omc out again bring moro commissary
md quartermastcr stores. FITz."
Colonel Tannant kept the note until
ne close OF the war, telling no one about
but hls faithful and loving wife.
Iannant has been living in Tennessee
since the war. Recently he and Lee
net and bottle of old Hennesscy was
discussed.